California will provide the ultimate test for top programs with the introduction of the Open Division format.

The Knights of No. 3 Bishop Montgomery will have a tough road ahead of them if they elect to join California's brand new Open Division.

Talent, health, coaching and luck are all important components for championship teams. But in some states and classifications, it takes even more to go home with the hardware.

That's the case in California, where the introduction of a new Open Division format will make it home to unquestionably the toughest state title to capture in 2013.

The Open Division tournament will include up to eight teams from Northern California and eight teams from Southern California in an effort to pair up the best programs in the state regardless of size.

While section results (in progress) will determine who is in the field, it could include Mater Dei and Long Beach Poly, currently ranked Nos. 6 and 10 nationally, respectively. Mater Dei is the state's defending Division I champ.

Archbishop Mitty, Bullard, Loyola, Salesian, and Sheldon — who have all spent at least a week in the national rankings this season — are also eligible for an Open Division bid.

The wild card is national No. 3 Bishop Montgomery, which doesn't meet the automatic criteria but could opt in.

In addition to California's Open Division, here is a look at nine other state championships that will be hard-earned this season: